OverviewIn deep mourning after the death of her husband, Queen Victoria leads an austere life of privacy, few public duties, and stern morality. To help ease her sadness, her chief servants summon John Brown, a trusted servant of the late Prince Consort. Soon after his arrival, Brown and Victoria become fast friends. They frequently go out riding together. Victoria accepts Brown's counsel and allows him a degree of freedom and access unknown to other servants. A hint of romance develops between them. Brown grows prideful, occasionally addressing the Prince of Wales, the heir apparent, with contempt. Brown's behavior turns all the servants and the Prince of Wales against him. One night, a group of men attack Brown in the stables. He withers slowly, eventually dying.